Farewell My Friends....My Scoliosis Surgery Is March 20th, so this Is The Real Deal!! - Page 3

ryan8472 · #31 03-09-2007, 07:16 AM

Good luck with everything Ethan, I hope all goes well and you're back on your feet in no time! Take care.

GODDESS6 · #32 03-09-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

It *was* Deenie- and the reason I remember it is because I had scoliosis so the book had an impact on me. Deenie wanted to become a model but couldn't because of her scoliosis.

i read "deenie" also & was diagnosed w/ scoliosis too when i was 12, thank goodness, it straightened out w/ massive back exercises~ & amber your book was "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret", loved that book too~

xdreamsunwindx · #33 03-09-2007, 09:07 AM

Good luck, Ethan. Surgery sucks, but you'll feel much better when it's all done.

Take care!

ontheEdgeof17 · #34 03-09-2007, 11:37 AM

Good luck! Take care!

golddustwoman77 · #35 03-09-2007, 12:31 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope that you will be up and going faster than expected and that you will feel much better. We'll miss you here on the Ledge until your return.

Musicman408 · #36 03-09-2007, 07:37 PM

Thank you guys. Today I went to the hospital for pre admissions testing, and we were getting some of our questions answered by a nurse. Pretty all of my questions were about pain. She said that when I first get out of surgery, it is going to feel like I got hit by a Mack truck. This will last a day or two, and then I will be uncomfortable, and my pain should be controlled, except for when they shift me. THAT WILL HURT!!!!

The surgery is in 11 days (Tuesday) and my attitude toward this whole thing see-saws regularly.

Thank you all for all of the support.

Much Love,
Ethan

jannieC · #37 03-09-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman408

Thank you guys. Today I went to the hospital for pre admissions testing, and we were getting some of our questions answered by a nurse. Pretty all of my questions were about pain. She said that when I first get out of surgery, it is going to feel like I got hit by a Mack truck. This will last a day or two, and then I will be uncomfortable, and my pain should be controlled, except for when they shift me. THAT WILL HURT!!!!

The surgery is in 11 days (Tuesday) and my attitude toward this whole thing see-saws regularly.

Thank you all for all of the support.

Much Love,
Ethan

I had major back surgery when I was 10 (for spondylolesthesis, not scoliosis). The "shifting" was very rough, so my parents asked the doctors if I could turn myself. It took me about 30 minutes and I had to do it every four hours, but it was worth it to me. Times have changed in the 25 or so years since I had my surgery- I was in the hospital for two months and had to wear a body cast. Good luck.

Serrart · #38 03-09-2007, 08:57 PM

Good Luck Ethan! I'm sure everything will go well, take care.

Romy

Brad · #39 03-09-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman408

She said that when I first get out of surgery, it is going to feel like I got hit by a Mack truck. This will last a day or two, and then I will be uncomfortable, and my pain should be controlled, except for when they shift me. THAT WILL HURT!!!!

Well with a good, well-experienced anesthesiologist, the transition from OR to hospital bed (not the literal transition of your physical body, but the bridge from intra-op pain control to post-op pain control) should be relatively comfortable. Of course, you'll have some pain. But 1-2 days of feeling like you were hit by a Mack truck? That's unacceptable, IMO, and shows poor pain management/planning on the part of the anesthesiologist and your post-op surgery team. Pain can be quite difficult to manage, especially in a complicated case such as spine surgery, but it can be done.

Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. I don't think there should be a mindset in the medical community that "surgery is going to hurt" and that you just have to deal with it. Pain management, like all of medicine, is an art that takes time and practice to perfect. Unfortunately I think it's underemphasised, which only perpetuates the fear that patients have of surgery.

Just my opinion, but eh, whatever.

Brad

Phoenix · #40 03-09-2007, 09:02 PM

Good luck man.

jannieC · #41 03-09-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

Well with a good, well-experienced anesthesiologist, the transition from OR to hospital bed (not the literal transition of your physical body, but the bridge from intra-op pain control to post-op pain control) should be relatively comfortable. Of course, you'll have some pain. But 1-2 days of feeling like you were hit by a Mack truck? That's unacceptable, IMO, and shows poor pain management/planning on the part of the anesthesiologist and your post-op surgery team. Pain can be quite difficult to manage, especially in a complicated case such as spine surgery, but it can be done.

Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. I don't think there should be a mindset in the medical community that "surgery is going to hurt" and that you just have to deal with it. Pain management, like all of medicine, is an art that takes time and practice to perfect. Unfortunately I think it's underemphasised, which only perpetuates the fear that patients have of surgery.

Just my opinion, but eh, whatever.

Brad

*sigh* this is why we love you, Brad.

It's true though- there is no reason for one to feel agony while recovering from surgery. From what I remember, most of my pain was when I got home- much harder to manage pain away from the hospital.

Musicman408 · #42 03-09-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

Well with a good, well-experienced anesthesiologist, the transition from OR to hospital bed (not the literal transition of your physical body, but the bridge from intra-op pain control to post-op pain control) should be relatively comfortable. Of course, you'll have some pain. But 1-2 days of feeling like you were hit by a Mack truck? That's unacceptable, IMO, and shows poor pain management/planning on the part of the anesthesiologist and your post-op surgery team. Pain can be quite difficult to manage, especially in a complicated case such as spine surgery, but it can be done.

Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. I don't think there should be a mindset in the medical community that "surgery is going to hurt" and that you just have to deal with it. Pain management, like all of medicine, is an art that takes time and practice to perfect. Unfortunately I think it's underemphasised, which only perpetuates the fear that patients have of surgery.

Just my opinion, but eh, whatever.

Brad

Well, I know it seems severe, but my ENTIRE skeletal system is going to be shifting around, and my case is pretty severe, and this pain is a common thing. Once I am past the intense stage, they want it to be at around a 4, which is pretty comfy. Unfortunately I will be having two surgeries, but I will get through it with my music.

tuigirl · #43 03-10-2007, 03:52 AM

All the best to you Ethan , hope to see you back very soon.

SuzeQuze · #44 03-10-2007, 04:27 AM

My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Music will be great for you and your healing. I think that everything will work out fine and you will be okay and better then ever.

Beachwood Mac · #45 03-10-2007, 04:47 PM

Good luck on your surgery and speedy recovery Ethan!